Provide services to underserved populations

The Schertz Public Library provides services to underserved populations through outreach, special programs, collaborations with other libraries or organizations, special classes, special collections, etc. Below are a few examples from 2021 that highlight our commitment to providing services to underserved populations:

Partners Library Action Network (PLAN) Large Print Circuit Member
As members of the PLAN Large Print Circuit, the Schertz Public Library receives 2 new boxes of large print books every quarter. Membership in the circuit has allowed our library to offer a variety of large print titles to our patrons by including these 50 new titles every 4 months. 

Story & Swim
The library works in partnership with the YMCA to provide a Story & Swim time the first Friday of each month September-May. Our Youth Services Librarian offers storytime and then the children enjoy crafts and swim time with a certified instructor. 

Legacy at Forest Ridge Picture Book Rotating Collection & Library Visits
Legacy at Forest Ridge is a senior living center in our community. Through conversation we learned that the facility had a need for a rotating collection of children's picture books and non-fiction books. Forest Ridge has a large memory care unit and they utilize the books in storytime to elicit memories and discussion with the residents. The books are on a monthly rotation and a different theme is selected for each month. In addition to providing materials, in the latter part of 2021, the library collaborated with the facility to bring residents for library visits twice per month.

Schertz Senior Center Large Print Rotating Collection
Once per quarter, the Schertz Public Library rotates a collection of large print books at the Schertz Senior Center. The Senior Center has a collection of large print that has been weeded from the library's collection, but members of the center are now able to enjoy current bestsellers and recently published titles.

Merritt Lakeside Senior Living Community Library Card Sign-Up Initiative
Two librarians visited the senior living community in October of 2021 to issue library cards on site to any residents that wanted to get a library card or renew their existing library cards.

Primrose School of Schertz Staff Training
The Schertz Public Library's Youth Services Librarian held a virtual training on storytime tips and tricks for the staff of the daycare facility.